Holy week this year starts on March 25 and ends on March 31 and April 1 is the start of Easter!

Visita Iglesia (also known as 7 Churches Visitation) is a Lenten tradition of Catholics all over the world. But in the Philippines, a lot of Catholics still do this today. It is a tradition wherein Catholics visit 7 churches on the evening of Maundy Thursday following the mass of the Lord’s Supper and Blessed Sacrament. Some families visit 7 churches, some 14, some depends on what they prefer to pray to the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Station of the Cross per church they visit.

In the Philippines, Visita Iglesia are done by most Catholics on Maundy Thursday , some on Good Friday. During Black Saturday, churches are closed to signify the mourning on the commemoration of Jesus’s death. It is also a way for the Filipino family to bond in prayer and sacrifice. It is also an opportunity for the pious to see new and other churches, chapels, and cathedrals around them.

I personally love Manila because of how historic it is. It’s always like being back in time when we visit Manila. We even had our date in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, and National Museum. The Churches are amazingly lovely and historic too. Aside from going to Divisoria once in a while for some shopping needs and good buys, Manila has good restaurants too and wonderful tourist spots.

Sharing our top picks and list of churches, chapels, and cathedrals you can visit this coming Holy Week in Manila and other cities too.

Don’t forget to make 3 wishes on a place you’ll visit for the first time and plan ahead!

Holds religious artworks and sacred relics of popes and saints, and serves as resting place for the remains of former archbishops in Manila (source: Rappler)

Renovated in 2012 and reopened in 2014

BINONDOCHURCH also known as Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish)

Address: Plaza L.Ruiz,Binondo Manila

Contact details: (02) 242 4850

Interesting facts:

Founded in 1596

Trivia: The altar of the church is loosely based from the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

Parking may be a bit of a challenge since the area is crowded with Divisoria shoppers if Divisoria is open.

Ceiling of the church is painted with Biblical scenes

SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH

photo by: Philippine Weddings

Photo by: Hoppler.com.ph

Address: Plaza Del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila

Contact details: (02) 523 8411

Interesting facts:

Opened in 1891

It is the only steel structure in the country

In 1890, Pope Leo XIII declared San Sebastian Church as a basilica. In 1975, Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin declared it as a parish

San Sebastian Church is declared as a Philippine Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure (source: interaksyon.com)

San Sebastian Church is one of the country’s last remaining churches that has preserved its original interiors; original parts of the church that can still be found today include its metal doors, wall ceilings, decorative paints, and glass windows (source: interaksyon.com)

famous home for the shrine of the Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ many claim to be miraculous

Consecrated as a minor basilica in 1988

Mexican baroque style

when we go here, we usually park along the street (during Holy Week)

It gets crowded especially during and after mass on Maundy Thursday

BACLARAN CHURCH (NATIONAL SHRINE OF PERPETUAL HELP)

Address: Redemptorist Road, Baclaran, Parañaque,

Contact details : (02) 832 1150

Interesting facts:

A large church with a seating capacity of 2,000

Modern -Romanesque design

Church is open 24/7 for the many devotees praying

Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is popular amongst Filipino Catholics, and gave rise to the throngs of devotees who flood the church every Wednesday to attend Mass and pray the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This is why Wednesdays are usually called “Baclaran Day”

Founded in 1958

Parking is a challenge and if you have children, this may not be the most comfortable church to go to